Sunday, December 2, 2012

Can I Be Grateful for What's Not Going My Way?

Sunday morning I woke up excited and looking forward to attending my good friend’s community potluck and documentary viewing when I discovered the keys to my car were in the glove compartment of my locked car and my husband--who had the second set—was out for the morning with our son. Fully dressed, coconut honey-lime fruit salad in hand, I realized my morning plans had just taken a giant nosedive—I was going nowhere.There have been many times in my life when I’ve perceived things were going “wrong” (not my way) and later it turned out they were exactly perfect. BUT the other day—in the middle of a giant funk---I wondered, where can I find gratitude for what’s not going my way right now.Today, I’m feeling called to pause and gratefully acknowledge (with just the tiniest bit of resentment):

the business systems within my organization that no longer work and are asking to be reformed

on-the-job inefficiencies that make you feel as if you want to pull your hair out

family and relationship struggles and miscommunication that seem unnecessary

learning in a way that feels “hard” (you know what I mean)

Why am I celebrating these frustrations? Because even though the silver lining from these hardships has yet to be revealed, my greatest learning--and growth--has come from mistakes, because the pearls that have come to me from living in the unknown have changed my life, and because I know that the ability to “reset” and start each day fresh and new is a gift unto itself. These struggles are calling me to develop a level of discernment unlike any I’ve had before and offering me the chance to really step into new ways of being.Am I dealing with some things that are uncomfortable, challenging and messy right now? Yep. Am I open to the growth that may come from these? Yeah (at least I think so). What about you? Are you watching old systems, structures or ways of being topple to the ground and beg to be re-imagined or rebuilt? I thought so. We’re all drinking from the same well. Sending us all lots of compassion and courage as we stretch into the highest versions of who we are over the next month. And the next time you have a flat tire or life throws you a real sucker punch, pause and see if you can find even the tiniest seed of gratitude in the middle of seeming disaster. P.S. Self-employed, live in Texas and ready for a new way of being with your business? I have a couple of spots left for my 12/14 Envision, Align, Expand: 2013 Visioning Retreat.(ony offered twice a year!).I love to hear from, connect with and meet The Journey readers at our events. I invite you to:

Love this! I was just telling a dear friend yesterday that maybe the reason the universe keeps throwing challenges my way is to remind me what wonderful friends I have and that I'm really not alone here. I've been running to my sweet neighbor's house for everything from a cup of sugar to instructions on my new drill.Susan

Renee Trudeau, author/speaker/coach

Follow Us

Live Inside Out: Learn How

Live Inside Out Facebook Community

Personal Renewal Groups

About Renee Peterson Trudeau

Renee is a 47-year old entrepreneur, community-builder, life balance coach/consultant, author/speaker, wife and mom to a ten-year old son. She is passionate about living inside-out—and teaching others to do the same. She and her family live in Austin, TX.

Renee began her blog, Live Inside Out, to chronicle her very real and personal journey to how she finds balance and harmony in the everyday.

She is president of Austin-based Career Strategists, a nationally-recognized career and small business coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping professionals and entrepreneurs successfully navigate their career and life path and Renee Trudeau & Associates.

Her unique approach to career and life management has been featured in numerous publications, including US News & World Report, Working Mother, Good Housekeeping, Yogi Times, The New York Times and American Way and in numerous broadcast, print and online business media.

You can learn more about Renee’s background and how her path has impacted who she is today.